Delight Your Marriage

If you have had sexual sin in your marriage, it's really hard to figure out who to talk to. Not everyone is safe. Today, Jen gets it. Her marriage suffered greatly when her husband’s pornography addiction was revealed. She helps us understand what we need in the midst of the crisis. Who we should be sharing our heart to (and who we shouldn’t). Listen in for hope and healing in this discussion.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/99

PII: When you have been through it, you have been through it. Jenny shares the second half of her interview where she talks about the big terrible things that can happen in marriage, but then what happens as you pick up the pieces of it all. How do you work through intimacy recovering from her sexual addiction? How do you rebuild a life after cancer? What does it look like to rely on God for your daily bread? Jenny is honest and speaks soothing balm to those who need it after the wreckage.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/98 Check out Part I at delightyourmarriage.com/97 “JII” = Journey Interview, Part II

Jenny knows what it’s like to struggle to stop & recover from sexual addiction, so do I. Today, we break the back of shame (the devil’s #1 tool) and reveal what so many others cover up. Jenny is brave to share a story about sexual addiction that is affecting at least 37% of women. We hear often about the men, but women struggle too. And it’s time we talk about the hope there is for women.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/97 “JI” = Journey Interview, Part I

If you’re not comfortable starting things off in intimacy, this is a discussion you don’t want to miss. Keelie Reason is on a second time to talk about what initiating has meant in her life and how she made a change. We dive into the practical realities of your husband’s sexuality and erections. We also talk about how to dismantle your hesitancy. And give you practical how-tos to get started. All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/96

Insecurity steals the good things God desires for us. It can rob us of our God-given calling, a life-giving marriage, and a fulfilling sex life (just to name a few). Confidence is vital, in and out of the bedroom. I think there are a lot of reasons we as women need to learn to be confident. It matters, to ourselves, to our husbands and I believe to God. I’ll share why, and exactly what I think you can do to be more confident. All the links, resources, general transcript and show notes are available at: delightyourmarriage.com/95

Changes are happening with DYM and I want you to be aware. Feel free to email me your thoughts at belah at delightyourmarriage . com

PII: 1 in 2 of marriages deal with chronic illness, and most of them are invisible (ie: depression). Kimberly shares what life is like when you’re dealing with constant challenge in your body. She has an incredible heart and really gives us wisdom whether we’re serving a chronically ill spouse or receiving their care. Spoiler alert: There is so much hope in this episode.     All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/94 Check out Part I at delightyourmarriage.com/93

We’ve all been there. You gave all the right hints. Shared all the right stories. And to your utter dismay, he apparently retained absolutely none of it. Well, today we’re breaking down the walls of confusion and hitting you hard with insights you don’t want to miss on exactly what your desire from your spouse, what he desires from you, and how to get what you desire. All of this in the context of biblically solid principles that will leave you inspired to be more like Jesus in your marriage. All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/93

PII: When we don’t have a shared vision, everything feels important. It feels vital to win the argument, to get our point across, and to nitpick at the problems in our spouse. But, once we are intentional about envisioning a shared legacy we want to leave, everything comes into proper focus. Kimberly shares how creating goals as a couple has revolutionized the way she and her husband interact with each other. It was one of the biggest turning points in my marriage and continues to ground us as a couple. This episode is not to be missed!   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/92 Check out Part I: Dealing With Anger at delightyourmarriage.com/91

PI: If your spouse’s go-to response is anger, it’s not easy. How can you guide the conversation into peace and even encouragement when it has such strong emotions? Or what if you’ve established a pattern of anger and hurt in your marriage? Well, today I have Kimberly to talk about the experience she and her husband went through around anger and how she learned that there specific ways to put your marriage back on track. What can you do to turn the tide?   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/91

Have you been a victim of sexual sin? Porn, infidelity, or even past sin prior to marriage can put a wife into a whirlwind of hurt and pain. Kay understands that heartache, she herself happened upon her husband’s addition 6 years into it. How did she make it through? How could her marriage survive such betrayal? Kay, a trained counselor, gives amazing insights and suggestions for the wife who is hurt and how to move through that hurt into healing. This episode may be the hope you’ve been grasping for. All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/90

PII: All of us face severe challenges in this life. And we all will (if we haven’t already) experience grief. God does give the grace to receive comfort through our marriages in the times we need it most. But it isn’t automatic and it needs to be fostered intentionally. This is the second half of my interview with Penny and she shares very practical step by step instructions on how to grow in your emotional intimacy together. She also shares what sexual intimacy is like during grief and how to help yourself and your spouse in the midst of that.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/89 Check out Part I at delightyourmarriage.com/88

Though none of us are promised tomorrow, there is so much pain in loss. And when we or someone we love goes through grief it can be so hard to know how to relate. 85% of marriages break apart because of some kind of trauma. Today we hear from Penny who bravely shares her experiences that have helped her to minister to so many hurting, because of what she went through. I encourage you to listen to hear how healing and grace can be part of your story of grief. All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/88

We live in a comparison culture, but that is not what God calls us to do in marriage. You have your spouse. Heather talks about discovering who her husband truly is through intentional effort. And discovering who she is and how they tick together as a unit. We all have to refocus our energy on the gifts we received in her husband. Find out how.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/87 Check out Part I at delightyourmarriage.com/86

Have you had a desire or a dream that has been delayed? It’s amazing what God wants to do in the times when we’re waiting and the seasons that we don’t have what we’ve set out for. Heather shares the difficulty of her dreams being unattainable right now. The vision for her life is still in her heart but hasn’t happened yet. She shares about a trap we can all get in when we’re discontent and comparing our lives to others. And God wants us to be walking with purpose and contentment in the seasons where we aren’t “there” yet. Listen in and find out how.   Find out more about Heather and their ministry at preengaged.com Click this special link to get a free course “Beyond "You'll Just Know": 7 Indicators You May Have Found the One!” All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/86

It’s so easy to run away from the hard topics. It’s easy to hide and guard ourselves from our spouses even in intimacy. Melanie shares how God changed her marriage to be one that works through the difficult times and is grateful for how He changes her through them. Sex is vital in the process of growing unified as a spouse and we dive into how to grow in that unity. Listen in to be encouraged regardless of where you are with your marriage, God wants to grow you and your spouse towards Him and towards each other.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/85 Check out Part I at delightyourmarriage.com/84  

From a wife who saw sex as a chore to a woman who feels free and enjoys frequent intimacy in her marriage. How did she get there? Well, it didn’t happen overnight, but Melanie was able to come to place where her past didn’t define her marriage anymore. And she was shocked to find God wanted her to find freedom in a place she had never known. Listen in to discover how God transformed her heart and made her sexually free.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/84

What does marriage look like after hearing that he doesn’t love you? Well, Amanda’s story will inspire, convict and encourage you to stand with God as you fight for your marriage. How do you do that? It might not be easy, but she wouldn’t trade it for anything. Listen in to hear how God transformed her heart and what her marriage looks like as a result. Become one that stands for what God wants for you.  This is Part II of my interview with Amanda Taylor of mendourmarriage.com. Listen to Part I (Episode 82) or delightyourmarriage.com/82   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/83  

Amanda sat at the table in disbelief as her husband said the words she never thought she’d hear. He shared that he was no longer in love with her. “This is the man I had trusted with everything. I never once doubted his loyalty.” But through this horror, God surprised her and changed her and her marriage in ways she never would have expected. All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/82

Hi there! Belah here. Today is Part II of my interview with Keelie Reason of lovehopeadventure.com. Keelie shares how important it is to have mentors in your life and surrounding your marriage to help guide you. When you’re intentional about your friendships they can mean the world to your marital health. Listen in as Keelie shares about her keys to marital success and how important it was watching and learning from her own parents doing marriage everyday.   All the links, resources, and show notes available at: delightyourmarriage.com/81 Check out Part I at delightyourmarriage.com/80